Bimodal film cutter adapted to handle different film widths

ABSTRACT

A film cutter adapted to sever individual customer orders of 110 or 126 type film into a number of segments. The individual customer orders are spliced together to form a large, continuous roll which is placed in the film cutter. If the splice frame leads the individual customer orders, the film cutter is operated in a First Frame First mode. If the splice frame trails the individual customer orders, the film cutter is operated in a First Frame First mode. Rotation of a selection knob conditions the film cutter for handling either width of film in either mode of operation. Such conditioning automatically causes selection of one of four pivotally mounted pawls, the selected pawl being properly located for the type of film to be cut and the mode of operation to be used. At the same time, rotation of the selection knob automatically raises a T-bar, longitudinally disposed in the film bed of the cutter, to provide a guide surface for one edge of the narrower 110 type film. If the wider 126 type film is to be severed, the T-bar remains lowered and only the proper pawl is selected. When a pawl solenoid, which controls movement of the selected pawl, is energized, the selected pawl is forced downward out of engagement with a film edge perforation. This action permits film drive to commence. When the pawl solenoid is de-energized, the selected pawl swings upward under the biasing influence of a spring where it rides under the still driven film. Engagement of the next following edge perforation by the selected pawl, allows it to swing fully upward, which final movement is transmitted to and sets a microswitch located in its path of travel. The resultant signal from the microswitch causes film drive to stop.

United States Patent Bracken [54] BIMODAL FILM CUTTER ADAPTED TO HANDLEDIFFERENT FILM WIDTHS [72] Inventor: Thomas W. Bracken, Rochester,

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Rochester, NY.

[22] Filed: April 16, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 134,788

Company,

[52] US. Cl. ..83/446, 83/391, 83/419, 83/449, 83/467 [51] Int. Cl...B65h 9/20 [58] Field of Search ..83/210, 212, 238, 261, 268, 83/364,365, 367, 371, 391, 419, 421, 446,

Primary ExaminerFrank T. Yost Attorney-W. H. J. Kline and Saul A.Seinberg l 5 7] ABSTRACT A film cutter adapted to sever individualcustomer orders of 110 or 126 type film into a number of segments. Theindividual customer orders are spliced together to form a large,continuous roll which is placed in the film cutter. If the splice frameleads the individual customer orders, the film cutter is operated in aFirst Frame First mode. If the splice frame trails the individualcustomer orders, the film cutter is operated in a First Frame Firstmode.

Rotation of a selection knob conditions the film cutter for handlingeither width of film in either mode of operation. Such conditioningautomatically causes selection of one of four pivotally mounted pawls,the selected pawl being properly located for the type of film to be cutand the mode of operation to be used. At the same time, rotation of theselection knob automatically raises a T-bar, longitudinally disposed inthe film bed of the cutter, to provide a guide surface for one edge ofthe narrower 110 type film. If the wider 126 type film is to be severed,the T-bar remains lowered and only the proper pawl is selected.

When a pawl solenoid, which controls movement of the selected pawl, isenergized, the selected pawl is forced downward out of engagement with a'film edge perforation. This action permits film drive to commence. Whenthe pawl solenoid is de-energized, the selected pawl swings upward underthe biasing influence of a spring where it rides under the still drivenfilm. Engagement of the next following edge perforation by theselectedpawl, allows it to swing fully upward, which final movement istransmitted to and sets a microswitch located in its path of travel. Theresultant signal from the microswitch causes film drive to stop.

9 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED um 24 I972 sum 1 or 6 mokuuhuo muuw mokumhmc PAIENTEDnm 24 I972 SHEET 4 [IF 6 BIMODAL FILM CUTTER ADAPTEDTO HANDLE DIFFERENT FILM WIDTHS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSReference is hereby made to commonly assigned, copending US. Pat.application No. 134,791, entitled APPARATUS FOR CORRELATING REJECTEDPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS WITH CORRESPOND- ING PHOTOGRAPHIC NEGATIVES, filedin the name of Gerald C. Smith on Apr. 16, 1971; US. Pat. applicationNo. 134,786, entitled APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING THE PACKAGING ANDPRICING OF PI-IOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS, filed in the names of Thomas W.Bracken, Thomas C. Laughon, and Gerald C. Smith on Apr. 16, 1971; US.Pat. application No. 134,789, entitled CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR AUTO- MATINGTHE OPERATION OF A FILM CUTTER OR LIKE APPARATUS, filed in the names ofGerald C. Smith and Raymond J. Williams on Apr. 16, 1971; and US. Pat.application No. 134,787, entitled DISPENSING DEVICE FOR POCKETED EN-VELOPES, filed in the name of James E. Ferris on Apr. 16,1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to film cutters and, more particularly, to film cutters whichare adapted to handle two different widths of film in either of twomodes of operation.

2. Description of the Prior Art In recent years, cameras which use 126type film, such as the Kodak Instamatic camera line have gainedwidespread popularity. Such cameras have especially gained extraordinarypopularity with the neophyte and amateur photographer. The recentintroduction of 110 type film and cameras gives every indication ofreaching and possibly surpassing the use of 126 type film. This hasresulted in increased volume for the photofinishing industry, which wasconsequently obliged to develop new equipment to cope with the increasedprocessing demand.

Such cameras use film which has regularly spaced edge perforations andfeature film drive mechanisms which advance such film in the camera, viathese perforations, in substantially equal increments. Thus, the exposedfilm will have a given number of latent images or frames equally spacedthereon, each frame having one perforation associated therewith. Such afeature was a departure from what had been done heretofore with respectto perforated roll film, as for example in 35mm cameras, which use filmhaving regularly spaced edge perforations which are in randomorientation with respect to the exposed frames.

When the 110 or 126 type film is received from customers, the individualcustomer rolls, which may be of twelve or twenty frame length, arejoined for processing by opaque splices to which are affixed atwin-check or coded label identifying a particular customer order. Thelarge, continuous roll formed thereby is developed and printed. However,in order to return the finished order to the customer, the large roll offilm must be cut, preferably for ease of handling, into segments whichare even shorter than the lengths of the original 12 or 20 frame rollsreceived from the customer.

Various film cutters have been designed and are known in the prior artfor achieving this result. Some of these film cutters are essentiallymanually operated and require constant operator interaction to achievethe desired results. An example of such a manual film cutter is theByers Film Cutter, Model 126, manufactured by the Byers Photo EquipmentCompany of Portland, Oregon. While such film cutters achieved thedesired results, they were slow, required constant operator attentionand ultimately prevented the film processor from fully reaping thebenefits of automating other operations in the processing cycle.

In time, automated versions of film cutters became available and greatlyreduced certain of the problems associated with the older manual type.An example of such a film cutter is the Fox Continuous 126 Film Cutter,manufactured by Fox-Stanley Photo Products, Inc., of San Antonio, Texas.

However, neither type of film cutter was adapted to handle both and 126type film. Furthermore, such prior art film cutters could not handle, inmost cases, the large, continuous rolls made up of spliced togethercustomer orders when the splice frame led the individual customerorders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a primary object of thepresent invention to provide a film cutter which is adapted to handledifferent film widths of large, continuous rolls regardless of whetherthe splice frame leads or trails the individual customer orders.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a film cutterin which an adjustable guide surface can be raised from the film bedwhen narrow width film is to be cut.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a filmcutter in which the proper one of four pawls pivotally mounted thereinis automatically selected in response to the rotation of a selectionknob.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a filmcutter in which selection of the proper pawl simultaneously raises themovable guide surface when the narrower ty'pe film is to be severed.

Accordingly, there is provided a film cutter having a plurality of pawlspivotally mounted on a common shaft therein. Rotation of a selector knoband the shaft to which it is coupled to one of four positions causescorresponding rotation of another shaft which carries a set of camsthereon. Rotation to each of its four positions causes the selector knobto rotate the cam set so that all but the proper pawl are cammed to aninoperative position.

A movable T-bar is supported at either end, by identical eccentric cams,one of which is mounted on the shaft carrying the cam set. The othereccentric can is mounted on the shaft carrying the selector knob.Rotation of the selector knob therefore, rotates both of the eccentriccams in unison, raising the T-bar to provide a medial film edge guidesurface whenever narrow width 1 10 type film is to be cut, regardless ofthe operational mode. Rotation of theselector knob to adapt the filmcutter for the wider width 126 type film further rotates the eccentriccams in unison, allowing the T-bar to be lowered out of the path of thefilm.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description thereof, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein there is set forth by way of illustrativeexample, an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a simplified blockdiagram of apparatus for automating the operation of a film cutterembodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view, partially cut away,

of a film cutter embodying the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the pawls and their mounting arrangementand the cam set and its mounting arrangement.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cam set.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the film driv means taken along line55 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the film cutter showing the filmedge guide assembly and the cutter assembly.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the film cutter showing the T-bar inits lowered position, resting at each end thereof on eccentric cams.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the film cutter of FIG. 2 takenalong line 8-8 thereof, showing the jam plate assembly and omitting thecutter assembly.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the position of a selected pawl,used with the narrower film, and certain associated elements with thepawl solenoid energized.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of the position of the pawl shownin FIG. 9, after the pawl solenoid has been de-energized, with the pawlteeth riding under the still driven film.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the position of the pawl shownin FIG. 9, after its tooth has engaged an edge perforation.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the comparable position of aselected pawl used with the wider film after its teeth have engaged anedge perforation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the'drawingswherein like reference numerals have been used in the several views forlike elements, FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates. a simplified blockdiagram of several elements of apparatus for automating the operation ofthe film cutter 18 illustrated in FIG. 2. A brief explanation of thisapparatus is thought necessary to enhance an understanding of thepresent invention. For greater details on the automating apparatus,reference should be had to the aboveidentified US. Pat. application No.134,789.

Film cutter 18 is particularly suitable for severing large, continuousrolls of film (not shown) of differing widths which are made up ofsmaller, spliced customer rolls or orders, into segments ofpredetermined length.

The particular type of film to be severed is characterized by regularlyor equi-spaced edge perforations, each of which correspond to one of theexposed frames on the film. In addition, the splice frame which joinsthe individual customer orders also contains an edge perforation whichis generally in pitch withthe film edge perforations. The splice frame,which also carries a twin-check or customer identification code, isdesirably left attached to one of the severed film segments.

In practice, the large, continuous rolls of film may be fed from asupply station (not shown) with the splice frame leading each customerorder, the Last Frame First mode of operation (hereinafter LFF), or withthe splice frame trailing each customer order, the First Frame Firstmode of operation (hereinafter F FF Typically, the customer orders to becut are of twelve or twenty frame length and may be intermingled in thelarger rolls. They are, however, spliced together with the film edge andsplice perforations all on one side. In order to fit the severed filmsegments into envelopes for return to the customer, it is preferred tohave the seg ments be of four frame length, except for the segmentcarrying the splice frame which is of five frame length.

A twelve frame customer order would then be severed, in LFF operation,into segments of five, four and then four frame length. In FFFoperation, the segments would be cut in four, four, and then five framelength. A twenty frame customer order would likewise be severed intosegments of five, four, four, four and then four frame length in LFFoperation or into segments offour, four, four, four and then five framelength in FFF operation. It should be noted that while the segmentlengths are conveniently chosen to be of maximum four frame length,other lengths can be readily severed if desired.

With a large, continuous roll of film of the type described mounted inthe supply station, power is turned on, initiating film drive. As shallbe hereinafter explained, with film drive on, the film is free to be fedto a cutter blade 23 (see FIG. 2). A photodetector 10, in LFF operation,monitors passage of the film and splice perforations. A control circuit12, responsive to the periodic signals generated by the perforationdetector 10, generates a cut signal after passage of a predeterminednumber, five in this instance, of frames. The cut signal de-energizespawl solenoid allowing a pivotally mounted selected pawl to be biasedupwards, whereupon its teeth ride under the still driven film. The pawlteeth engage the next following edge perforation, which act sets pawlswitch 96. In response thereto, film drive solenoid 1 13 isde-energized, halting the film drive, and cutter solenoid 133 isenergized, severing the advanced five frame segment of film. After adelay period, which is chosen to be greater than the time necessary forcutter blade 23 to cycle, interposed by delay circuit 16, pawl solenoid95 is re-energized, pulling the selected pawl out of engagement. Thisaction resets pawl switch 96 which, in turn, initiates film drive.Additional film segments of four frame four frame length areautomatically out until the splice frame is sensed by the splicephotodetector 14. Photodetector 14 generates an output signal whichcauses the control circuit 12 to halt further operation until thesevered customer order is withdrawn from an exit port (not shown)provided in the cutter housing '55. Removal of the severed strips startsthe cutting cycle once again and, assuming that the severed customerorders are removed as they are cut, the entire large roll of film issegmented. In FFF operation, perforation detector 10a and splicedetector 14a serve the same function as detectors 10 and 14. Since thesplice frame trails the customer orders, the film segments are cut inreverse, that is, the five frame segment is cut last. However, in allother respects, operation of film cutter 18 in the FFF mode ofoperation, is as described above for LFF operation.

Film of the type described is commercially available in at least twowidths, namely llO type film and l26 type film. Cutter 18, in FIG. 2 isshown with the narrower 1 type film 20 therein, set for the LFF mode ofoperation. In FIG.- 6, a partial view of cutter 18 shows the wider 126type film 20a ready to be cut, also with the cutter 18 set for LFFoperation.

The cutter 18 illustrated in FIG. 2, operates in the following manner. Alarge, continuous roll of film is mounted in the supply station. Theleading end of this roll is passed over idler roller and is laterallyconstrained from excessive sideways movement by the guiding action ofside wall 17 and the idler roller guide band 19. From idler roller 15,the leading end of the film 20 is passed between pinch roller 21 anddrive roller 22. The operator, knowing from simple observation that 110type film 20 is to be severed in the LFF mode of operation, turnsselector knob 26 to its proper setting. This act does two things. First,it sets rotary switch 34 so that the proper pair of detectors, l0 and 14or 10a or 14a, are activated and, second, it selects, in a manner to behereinafter described, one pawl from among four provided. When cutting126 type film 20a, the film is laterally constrained between side walls17 and 29, passing over idler roller guide band 19.

Selector knob 26 is mounted to one end of shaft 27 which protrudesthrough the outer housing 55 of film cutter 18 and is journalledtherein. Rotary switch 34 is commonly mounted to shaft 27 between theouter housing 55 and the inner housing 28 of film cutter 18. Mounted onshaft 27 for rotation therewith behind ro tary switch 34 is a toothedgear 38. Gear 38 is held in position on shaft 27 by spring clip 40.Shaft 27 extends through inner housing 28 completely beneath andparallel to the main film bed and emerges through the rear wall of innerhousing 28 and is journalled therein. An endless belt 36 encircles gear38 and the similarly toothed gear 46. Gear 46 is mounted on shaft 44which extends through the inner housing 28, parallel to shaft 27, andemerges through its rear wall being journalled therein. Spring clip 42holds gear 46 in position. The inner surface 37 of. belt 36 is providedwith a series of cogs which engage the rectangularly shaped teeth ongears 38 and 46. Thus, rotational movement of selector switch 26 effectsrotational movement of shaft 27 which, in turn, causes rotation of gear38, gear 46 and ganged shaft 44 by the action of endless belt 36. Asshown in FIG. 3, a cam set 49 is mounted on shaft 44 within the innerhousing 28. The cams are held on shaft 44 by set screws 55. Locatedabove shaft 44 and parallel thereto is shaft 48. Pivotally mounted onshaft 48 are the pawls 60, 62, 64 and 66. A number of spacers 63 areinterspersed between the pawls themselves and between the pawls and thespring clips 65 to precisely space and locate the pawls on shaft 48. Aspacer 61 is mounted on shaft 48 in the center thereof having a groove67 therein to accommodate an opening 32 in the front end of T-bar 30.T-bar is biased downwardly by springs 69 which hold its top surfaceapproximately flush with that of the main film bed 25.

Springs 68, 70, 72 and 74 are associated with and bias, respectively,each pawl 60, 62, 64 and 66 upwardly, about shaft 48, to a positionwherein the pawl teeth 60a, 62a, 62b, 64a, 64b and 66a extend up throughslots 57 and 58, respectively, which are cut in the film bed 25. Slot 31which is also cut in the film bed is provided to accommodate T-bar 30.

. As previously noted, the film to be severed by film cutter 18 isavailable in two widths. When the smaller width film 20, the 1 10 type,is to be severed, T-bar 30 is raised in a manner to be hereinafterdescribed to provide a guide surface for the film 20 as it travelsbetween pinch roller. 21 and drive roller 22 to the cutter blade 23. Asalso previously noted, one of the required steps in severing an advancedsegment of film calls for movement of a selected pawl into engagementwith a film perforation 35 or 35a.

As shown in Table'I above, rotating selector knob 26 to' either positionC or D conditions film cutter 18 to accommodate the narrower width 110type film 20. When set to either of these two positions, T-bar 30 israised to provide the previously noted guide surface for the advancingfilm. Rotating selector knob 26 to either position A or B conditionsfilm cutter 18 to accommodate the wider width 126 type film 20a. Whenset to either of these two positions T-bar 30 remains lowered. Rotatingknob 26 to any of its four positions simultaneously causes selection ofpawl, 60, 62, 64 or 66, (see FIG. 2) depending upon the type of filmbeing cut and the particular mode of operation. The reference numeral ofthe selected pawl for each setting of knob 26 is shown in Table I. Thepawl selection mechanism and the raising and lowering of T-bar 30, asrequired, works in the following manner. i

As previously described, rotation of selector knob 26 causes a rotationof shaft 44 and the cam set 49 mounted thereon. It will be initiallyassumed that type 110 film is being used in the LFF mode of operation,as shown in FIG. 2. For this set of conditions, selector knob 26 is setto position D. In position D, camming surfaces 50a, 51a, and 53a forcepawl legs 60c, 62c, and 640, respectively, against the bias of springs68, and 72, pivoting pawls 60, 62 and 64 downwardly below the surface offilm bed 25. Pawl 66, however, is pivoted upwardly by the action ofspring 74. In its position D orientation, cam 54 presents a flat surface54b to cam leg 66c allowing pawl 66 alone to pivot upwardly under theinfluence of spring 74. In a similar manner, setting selector knob 26 toposition C allows pawl 60 to be pivoted upwardly under the influence ofspring 68 while the other pawls 62, 64 and 66 are held below the filmbed 25 by the action of camming surfaces Sla, 53a and 54a respectively.When type 126 film is used, pawl 64 is selected in a similar manner byrotating selector knob 26 to a position A for LFF operation and,finally, in a similar manner, pawl 62 is selected when knob 26 isrotated to position B.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, T-bar 30 is urged downwardly by the biasingaction of springs 69 which hold its top surface generally flush with thefilm bed 25. The forward base portion 33 of T-bar rests on the eccentriccamming surface 52a and is laterally restrained between the verticalsurfaces 52b'thereof. The rear base portion 73 of T-bar 30 rests uponand follows the eccentric camming surface 72a of cam 72. As shown inFIG. 7, cam 72 is mounted on shaft 27 for rotational movement therewith.Rear base portion 73 of T-bar 30 is laterally restrained and carriedbetween the vertical portions 72b of cam 72. When selector knob 26 isrotated to and between positions C and D, the base portions 33 and 73 ofT-bar 30 are raised by the action of camming surfaces 52a and 72arespectively. This raises the T-bar 30 above the film bed 25, providinga vertical guide surface for the inner edge of the 1 10 type film as itis advanced towards cutter blade 23. When selector knob 26 is rotated toeither position A or B, the ganged cam surfaces 52a and 72a,respectively, allow T-bar 30 to be pulled down by the biasing action ofsprings 69 so that its top surface is generally flush with the film bed25, which permits the cutting of 126 type film. It should be noted thatthe interaction of belt. 36 with the toothed gears 38 and 46 allowsshafts 27 and 44 to track one another. Consequently, the T-bar 30 willbe raised in a substantially horizontal orientation by the identicalcamming surfaces 52a and 72a.

Since pawl action is identical regardless of the particular pawlselected, it will be assumed in the remainder of this description,unless otherwise indicated, that pawl 66 has been selected by rotatingknob 26 to position D. This also means, of course, that the T-bar 30 israised and that 110 type film is to be severed. In FIG. 6, however, typeI26 film has been illustrated in order to depict the engagement positionof pawl 64, one of the pawls selected when 126 type film is used.

After the leading edge of the film 20 passes by T-bar 30, it reachesslots 57 and 58 which are formed in the main film bed 25 to allow thepawl teeth to engage edge perforations 35 or 350. The film next passesradiation sources 11, 11a, 13 and 13a, which correspond respectively tothe photodetectors 10, 10a, 14 and 14a. In LFF operation, theregistration of a film edge perforation 35, or 35a, with opening 80 inmain film bed 25 permits radiation from source 11 to impinge upon andactuate perforation detector 10. The registration of a splice frame withopening 81 likewise permits radiation from source 13 to impinge upon andactuate splice detector 14. In FF F operation, registration of a filmedge perforation 35, or 35a, with opening 83 in main film bed 25 permitsradiation from source 11a to impinge upon and actuate perforationdetector 10a. In a similar manner, registration of a splice frame withopening 82 permits radiation from source 82a to impinge upon and actuatesplice detector 14a. The signals from the respective detectors areutilized in the manner previously described. After passing the sensingarea in the main film bed, the film 20 is advanced to and under cutterblade 23. When actuated, cutter blade 23 will sever whatever segment offilm has been passed by cutter blade 23.

With the leading end of the film 20 aligned with the cutting plane,power is turned on. This causes film drive to start. FIG. illustratesthe manner in which the film is driven through the film cutter 18 bypinch roller 21 and drive roller .22. Drive roller 22 is fixedly mountedto shaft 100 for rotation therewith. A spur gear 101 is also fixedlymounted on shaft 100. Spur gear 102 which is mounted to the shaft of amotor (not shown) is positioned in meshing engagement with spur gear101. The motor is continuously energized as long as power is applied tofilm cutter 18. Consequently, drive roller 22 is constantly rotated.Pinch roller 21 is mounted on shaft 103 for rotation therewith. Shaft103 is mounted-in the arms 104 and 105, respectively, of yoke assembly106. Spring clips 107 retain shaft 103 in position. Yoke assembly 106 isbiased upwardly by springs 108 which encircle the shafts of bolts 109.The threaded portions of bolts 109 engage threaded openings 110 providedin horizontal member 111 thereby restraining the yoke assembly in itsvertical movement. Film drive solenoid 113 is located below horizontalmember 111 and is connected via opening 114 therein to the yoke assembly106 by armature 1 15. When solenoid 113 is energized, armature 115 ispulled downward, forcing yoke assembly 106 to follow against the bias ofspring 108. When yoke assembly 106 is pulled fully downward, pinchroller 21 presses film 20 into driving contact with the constantlyrotating drive roller 22 causing film advancement therebetween. Whensolenoid 113 is de-energized, releasing armature 115, yoke assembly 106moves upward in response to the bias of springs 108, lifting pinchroller 21 from the film 20, thereby halting film drive.

Turning power on also energizes pawl solenoid 95, causing its armature97 to rotate fully counterclockwise. As shown in FIG. 9, this causescamming member 98 to rotate fully clockwise, forcing pawl leg 66c of theselected pawl 66 fully to the right against the bias of spring 71. Thisaction pivots pawl 66 downwardiy into pawl slot 57 below the surface ofmain film bed 25. Once-the predetermined number of edge perforationshave been counted, as previously described, pawl solenoid 95 isde-energized, allowing its armature to rotate fully clockwise, whichpulls yoke arm to the left and rotates cam member 98 counterclockwise,as shown in FIG. 10. Since pawl leg 660 is no longer restrained by cammember 98, pawl 66 is pivoted upwardly by the influence of biasingspring 68. This causes pawl tooth 66a to ride under the still drivenfilm 20. It should be noted that the selected pawl 66 can pivot upwardlydue to the position of cam 54 which presents its flat surface 54b topawl leg 66c. However,

movement of pawl leg 66c fully to the left, in response todeenergization of pawl solenoid 95, allows pawl leg 66c to contact, butnot rotate, cam member 121. Cam member 121 and contact member 123 arecommonly mounted to rotate as a unit on and about shaft 125.

As shown in FIG. 11, pawl tooth 66c engages the next following edgeperforation allowing pawl 66 to move fully upward which, in turn, causespawl leg 66: to rotate camrning member 121 in a counterclockwisedirection. Rotation of cam member 121 forces contact member 123downward, against the bias of spring 122, causing contact 124 of pawlswitch 96 to close. As previously described this final movement ofselected pawl 66, from immediately below the still driven film 20 intoengagement with the next following edge perforation 35, results in thede-energization of film drive solenoid 1 13. The resulting upwardmovement of pinch roller 21 stops further film drive, which wasinitially inhibited by engagement of pawl tooth 660 with edgeperforation 35.

FIG. 12 illustrates the engaged position of pawl 64 where it, ratherthan pawl 66, is selected. With selected pawl 64 pivoted fully upward byspring 72, pawl teeth 64a and 64b engage two successive edgeperforations 35a of the 126 type film a. It has been found that edgeperforations of the 126 type film will occasionally tear. It has alsobeen found that a torn edge perforation may slip off a pawl tooth andfail to engage, as previously described. For this reason two pawl teethare formed on each of pawls 62 and 64 so that at least one of the teethwill engage a film perforation, even when a torn one is present. Itshould be noted that space and alignment restrictions dictated the useof only one tooth on the 110 type film pawls 60 and 66. However, sincethe edge perforations of this film can also tear, two teeth can be used,rather that the single tooth as shown.

In FIG. 6, a portion of side wall 17 and top wall 103 have been cut awayto illustrate the resiliently biased film edge guide assembly 140. Itwill be understood that an identical film edge guide assembly (notshown) is located directly opposite film edge guide assembly 140 behindside wall 29. As is shown in FIG. 6, the edge of film 200, or 20, ridesunder lower lip 17a-of side wall 17 and abuts guide member 141. One endof guide member 141 is formed into a U-shaped flange 143 which ispositioned about a fixedly mounted post 145.

, Coil spring 144 is wrapped around post 145 and presses against theback of guide member 141 biasing it towards the outer film edge. Guidemember 141 is limited in its travel toward the film edge by flange 142and U-shaped flange 143. As film is fed across main film bed towardscutter blade 23, guide assembly 140, and its identical counterpart,resiliently locate the film therebetween to insure proper alignment ofthe film edge perforations with perforation detector 10, in the LFF modeof operation, and with perforation detector 10a, in the FFF mode ofoperation. When type 126 film 20a is used, as is shown in FIG. 6, guideassembly 140 and its identical counterpart are both operational. Whentype 1 10 film 20 is used, as shown in FIG. 2, guide assembly 140resiliently urges the film 20 between itself and the guide surfaceprovided by the raised T-bar 30.

FIG. 8 which is a partial, cross-sectional view of film cutter 18,illustrates the jam plate assembly 150. Jam plate 151 is pivotallymounted on pivot pin 152 immediately downstream of drive roller 22.Spring 153 biases jam plate 151 to its fully raised position where it islocated parallel to and just below the bottom surface of the film 20. Alug 154 extends from the pivot end of the jam plate 151 as shown in FIG.8. When pawl solenoid 95 is de-energized and the selected pawl 66 swingsupward, as previously described, film drive continues. When the tooth66a of pawl 66 engages the next following edge perforation 35, filmadvance is stopped thereby, but film drive momentarily continues, thatis, pinch roller 21 still holds film 20 in driving contact with driveroller 22. When film drive solenoid 113 is deenergized, pinch roller 21is released, as previously described, and film drive is halted. Duringthe minute interval between engagement of the film edge perforation bytooth 66a and the de-energization of film drive solenoid 113, the slightamount of film advanced forces jam plate 151 downwardly against the biasof spring 153. This movement, however, is not sufficient, under normalconditions, to cause lug 154 to move contact arm 155 of microswitch 156.When a jam does occur, as for example when cutter blade 23 blocks filmbed 25, the force of the now greater amount of still driven film on jamplate 151 pivots it further downward causing lug 154 to move contact arm155, which switches microswitch 156. The resultant jam signal isutilized to de-energize film drive solenoid 113, halting further filmadvancement.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference topreferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variationsand modifica tions can be effected within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for selectively preparing a film cutter having drive means,cutting means and a film bed to handle film of two differing widths, thefilm having regularly spaced perforations along only one edge thereofand fed by the drive means over the film bed to the cutter means withits perforations adjacent one edge of the film bed in a first mode ofoperation and with its perforations adjacent the other edge of the filmbed in a second mode of operation, said apparatus comprising:

a. first means movably mounted in the cutter for engaging the film edgeperforations of said differing width film;

b. second means for selectively preparing said first means to engage thefilm perforations in accordance with the width of film and mode ofoperation being used; and

c. guide means for guiding the non-perforated edge of the narrower ofsuch film widths, said guide means mounted in said cutter so as to bemovable in and out of an operative position for guiding such film, saidguide means being operatively associated with said second means so as tobe in said operative position only when first means is positioned toengage film edge perforations of narrower film width.

2. Apparatus for selectively preparing film cutter having drive meansand cutting means to handle film of two different widths, the filmhaving regularly spaced perforation along only one edge thereof, saidapparatus comprising:

a. a film bed having a first slot adjacent one edge thereof and parallelthereto and a second slot adjacent the other edge of the film bed andparallel thereto, the film being fed by the drive means over the filmbed to the cutter means with its perforations adjacent one edge of thefilm bed in a first mode of operation and with its perforations adjacentthe other edge of the film bed in a second mode of operation:

b. a plurality of pawl members mounted in the cutter in alignment withsaid first and second slots for engaging the film edge perforations; and

c. means for selectively preparing only one of said plurality of pawlmembers to engage the film perforations in accordance with the width offilm and mode of operation being used.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said film bed has a medialslot cut therein and parallel thereto,

said apparatus further comprising guide means movable mounted in thecutter in alignment with said medial slot for guiding the nonperforatededge of the narrower width film, said movable guide means cooperatingwith said means for selectively preparing and movable thereby throughsaid medial slot to an operative position only when said plurality ofpawl members is conditioned to engage the film edge perforations of thenarrower width film in either mode of operation.

4. The apparatus according to claim 2 which further comprises: a

a. guide means for guiding the nonperforated edge of the narrower film;and

b. means for detachably mounting said guide means medially in the filmbed.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for selectivelyconditioning said pawl members comprises a plurality of cam members,movable as a unit, one of said plurality of cam members being associatedwith each one of said plurality of pawl members and located in cammingproximity thereto, each of said cam members having camming surfacesthereon oriented with respect to said associated pawl members so thatall but a single one of said pawls are cammed to an inoperative positionin accordance with the width of film and mode of operation being used.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for selectivelyconditioning said pawl members comprises a plurality of cam members,movable as a unit, one of said plurality of cam members being associatedwith each one of said plurality of pawl members and located in cammingproximity thereto, each of said cam members having camming surfacesthereon oriented with respect to said associated pawl members so thatall but a single one of said pawls are cammed to an inoperative positionin accordance with the width of film and mode of operation being used.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said plurality of cammembers further includes an additional cam member associated only withsaid movable guide means and located in camming proximity thereto, saidadditional cam member having a camming surface thereon for camming saidguide means to its operative position only when the narrower width filmis used in either mode of operation.

8. A film handling apparatus for accommodating at least first and secondfilm types of respectively differing widths, both such film types being,characterized by having regularly spaced perforations along one edgethereof, said apparatus comprising:

a. a film bed for alternatively supporting film of each of such types;

b. first means movably positioned for engaging the film edgeperforations of a supported film of each of such types;

0. second means coupled to said first means for selectively positioningsaid first means for engagement with the perforations of the particularfilm type being handled; and I d. film edge guide means mounted withrespect to said film bed for movement between a first film edge guidingposition when said film handling apparatus is uniquely adapted forhandling film of said first type and a second non-guiding position whensaid film handling apparatus is uniquely ada t d for handlin film ofsaid second t e. 9. Thti a pparatus of c aim 8 wherein said fii m edgeguide means is operatively associated with said second means wherebywhen said second means moves said first means for engagement with theperforations of the first film type said edge guide means is moved tosaid first film guiding position and to said second non-guiding positionwhen said second means moves said first means for engagement with theperforations of the second film type.

1. Apparatus for selectively preparing a film cutter having drive means,cutting means and a film bed to handle film of two differing widths, thefilm having regularly spaced perforations along only one edge thereofand fed by the drive means over the film bed to the cutter means withits perforations adjacent one edge of the film bed in a first mode ofoperation and with its perforations adjacent the other edge of the filmbed in a second mode of operation, said apparatus comprising: a. firstmeans movably mounted in the cutter for engaging the film edgeperforations of said differing width film; b. second means forselectively preparing said first means to engage the film perforationsin accordance with the width of film and mode of operation being used;and c. guide means for guiding the non-perforated edge of the narrowerof such film widths, said guide means mounted in said cutter so as to bemovable in and out of an operative position for guiding such film, saidguide means being operatively associated with said second means so as tobe in said operative position only when first means is positioned toengage film edge perforations of narrower film width.
 2. Apparatus forselectively preparing film cutter having drive means and cutting meansto handle film of two different widths, the film having regularly spacedperforation along only one edge thereof, said apparatus comprising: a. afilm bed having a first slot adjacent one edge thereof and parallelthereto and a second slot adjacent the other edge of the film bed andparallel thereto, the film being fed by the drive means over the filmbed to the cutter means with its perforations adjacent one edge of thefilm bed in a first mode of operation and with its perforations adjacentthe other edge of the film bed in a second mode of operation: b. aplurality of pawl members mounted in the cutter in alignment with saidfirst and second slots for engaging the film edge Perforations; and c.means for selectively preparing only one of said plurality of pawlmembers to engage the film perforations in accordance with the width offilm and mode of operation being used.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2wherein said film bed has a medial slot cut therein and parallelthereto, said apparatus further comprising guide means movable mountedin the cutter in alignment with said medial slot for guiding thenonperforated edge of the narrower width film, said movable guide meanscooperating with said means for selectively preparing and movablethereby through said medial slot to an operative position only when saidplurality of pawl members is conditioned to engage the film edgeperforations of the narrower width film in either mode of operation. 4.The apparatus according to claim 2 which further comprises: a. guidemeans for guiding the nonperforated edge of the narrower film; and b.means for detachably mounting said guide means medially in the film bed.5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said means for selectivelyconditioning said pawl members comprises a plurality of cam members,movable as a unit, one of said plurality of cam members being associatedwith each one of said plurality of pawl members and located in cammingproximity thereto, each of said cam members having camming surfacesthereon oriented with respect to said associated pawl members so thatall but a single one of said pawls are cammed to an inoperative positionin accordance with the width of film and mode of operation being used.6. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said means for selectivelyconditioning said pawl members comprises a plurality of cam members,movable as a unit, one of said plurality of cam members being associatedwith each one of said plurality of pawl members and located in cammingproximity thereto, each of said cam members having camming surfacesthereon oriented with respect to said associated pawl members so thatall but a single one of said pawls are cammed to an inoperative positionin accordance with the width of film and mode of operation being used.7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said plurality of cammembers further includes an additional cam member associated only withsaid movable guide means and located in camming proximity thereto, saidadditional cam member having a camming surface thereon for camming saidguide means to its operative position only when the narrower width filmis used in either mode of operation.
 8. A film handling apparatus foraccommodating at least first and second film types of respectivelydiffering widths, both such film types being characterized by havingregularly spaced perforations along one edge thereof, said apparatuscomprising: a. a film bed for alternatively supporting film of each ofsuch types; b. first means movably positioned for engaging the film edgeperforations of a supported film of each of such types; c. second meanscoupled to said first means for selectively positioning said first meansfor engagement with the perforations of the particular film type beinghandled; and d. film edge guide means mounted with respect to said filmbed for movement between a first film edge guiding position when saidfilm handling apparatus is uniquely adapted for handling film of saidfirst type and a second non-guiding position when said film handlingapparatus is uniquely adapted for handling film of said second type. 9.The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said film edge guide means isoperatively associated with said second means whereby when said secondmeans moves said first means for engagement with the perforations of thefirst film type said edge guide means is moved to said first filmguiding position and to said second non-guiding position when saidsecond means moves said first means for engagement with the perforationsof the second film type.